Polaris Music Prize Gala

The 11th annual Polaris Music Prize Gala was held on Monday September 19, 2016 at the Carlu in Toronto. Buffy Sainte-Marie, last year’s winner, presented this year’s Polaris Music Prize winner to Kaytranada for his album “99.9%.”
A surprise for some but not for others, Kaytranada has been gaining popularity in underground music circles since he began experimenting with music. He released his first tracks in 2010 and his edition of Janet Jackson’s 1993 hit “If” went viral four years ago.
“99.9%” put him on a higher level of popularity and allowed him to win this prize and the $50,000 that goes with it. “It’s a lot of money at the end of the day,” he said, stunned by the prospects of his sudden win. Considered one of Canada’s most prestigious music prizes — it has been given to Arcade Fire and Caribou in the past

The Polaris Music Prize:
This music award is given based on merit not based on sales. An eleven person jury of music journalists and broadcasters was chosen from the larger, nationwide pool of nearly 200 Polaris jurors. This jury had selected the shortlist of ten artists.

This year also marked the second year of the Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize, which celebrates albums released before the Polaris got its start a decade ago, with shortlists selected by a jury and winners voted on by the public.